Presentation

The collections at the Royal Monastery of St Mary of Pedralbes consist of a wide assortment of religious works of art and objects from everyday life owned by the St Mary of Pedralbes community of Poor Clares. In view of their number and quality, special mention should be made of the medieval and modern works of art of Catalan, Spanish and foreign origin. The collection has its origins in the royal donations made at the time of the foundation of the monastery. However, over the centuries the treasure of the community has increased thanks to the donations made by members of the order itself, as well as people with different links to the monastery, and works commissioned by the community.

The collection currently consists of over 3,000 objects that form part of the cultural identity and memory of the Poor Clare community. Many of the objects that made up the treasure have been borrowed, lost or sold because of the historical upheavals and vicissitudes endured by the community over the centuries. Nonetheless, the surviving pieces are a reflection of life in the community over the centuries, marked by the liturgy, religious vocation and dynamics of life in the monastery. The collection consists of paintings, sculptures, objects in gold and silver, pottery, glass, tiles, liturgical ornaments and textiles, furniture and manuscripts, as well as an interesting group of objects with ethnological value.